I appears like the police are treating this like a hostage situation and therefore are unwilling to try to enter the building. They have it surrounded, the TV is giving the phone number for the gunman to call, the mayor is on site... but it doesn't appear like the police are going to make the first move at the moment.

That doesn't make this seem like it will be a short resolution.

I'm glad Ashley and Scott are together... I know they would be crazed if they were separated under the circumstances.

I was to be a discussant for three papers on Wed. afternoon of the conference. Unfortunately, I only got the email asking for confirmation the evening before the deadline and had to decline. I have since been able to work out several things, conflicts, etc., and can attend and serve. I have emailed Beverly at AAA and informed her and are doing so to you now. If you have a need for me to fill in during the conference, please let me know. However, it would be expedient if you used my office email address (sslang@mckendree.edu) as well as the one on record (home langs@gvc.net). I realize I will not be listed in the catelog, but I am available and willing. I sent in my registration for the conference today.

Unfortunately for me (probably better for the police involved) the police chief requested that no further info about police movements be shown or discussed on TV. So I won't be able to help you further with updates. It appears, at least, that they are preparing to do something soon.

Tim: I downloaded your email at home (and Retta's too). I thought I should try to be helpful and supportive in any way possible, and I called your home to offer my support. I reached your wife, who had just come home and didn't know what had happened. Please accept my sincere apologies for any negative consequences of this, and know that all of you there are in our prayers.

TV now reports that police are in the building and doing room by room searches to both rescue those of you in the building and try to find the gunman. They must be starting low and working their way up....

Just checking to see if you are still in your office or if they have moved you to the "safe room" inside the building. Accoring to the TV they have moved about 60 people from their hiding places to this "safe room".

I discovered that I am not the hide under the desk type. I am the chat on the phone to reporters type. Seven hours creates lots of time to clean up my office. In short, I handled it kind of like you would have. Thanks for the email. If I can think of any interesting embellishments, I can use it for next years SAGES class. Have a great summer. T